It has been a slow start to the 2024 Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) season for the Brisbane Lightning. Flashes of great hockey, but unable to piece together three strong periods and sit with a 1-3 record after four games.

Despite being on the wrong side of the win loss ledger, Lightning were missing some key players across their most recent trip to Melbourne. Star forwards Jordan McTaggart and Harley Anderson most notable, and Julian Fodor away on Australian national team duties.

However, as a collective group the Lightning are confident that they are building towards a more consistent hockey game.

“Two games this weekend, you know, not the result we wanted, but every period getting better as we go and following through with what the coach wants,” Lightning forward Aaron Wanat told Hockey Hype Australia.

“We are doing a great job of building up all of our components and learning our systems and playing as a team and being more of a unit. Rather than a touch and go team, up and down the ice.”

With the arrival of long time University of Manitoba head coach Mike Sirant, as associate coach alongside head coach Terry Kiliwnik, there will be an adjustment period.

Sirant, has an extensive resume spending 30-years as coach of the Bisons, bringing to Australia a wealth of hockey knowledge.

“There will always be a learning process with a guy that’s got that much experience behind the bench,” continued Wanat.

“He is incredible with every aspect of the game, and he’s done a great job of helping every single player on thar roster.”

Without their top three points leaders – McTaggart, Anderson and Fodor, from the 2023 season unavailable for the Ice and Mustangs double-header weekend all eyes were on where offensive production would come from.

However, despite leaving Melbourne without a win, signs in the third period against the Mustangs were positive as the Lightning started to find their groove.

“I think we are doing the best we can to make sure that as a team we are remaining consistent with our efforts and with our compete level, that’s a big thing for us,” said Wanat.

“We want to compete every single shift, every single period in and out. If we can compete every single shift and get better every week, that’s what we want to do.”

Fight Levels High

Sitting fourth on the Rurak Standings after week two of the AIHL season, Lightning are showing strong fight while missing key personnel.

Hanging in every contest and not seeing games get blown out are positives for the coaching staff. There is a grit to the Lightning, a positive sign not just for the now, but future rosters.

“I like the way the guys fought back. They never really, you know, gave up the fight,” Lightning head coach Terry Kiliwnik told Hockey Hype Australia.

“We were down, but we kept coming back. I think we got a really young, core of guys and I think they did really well. They played well.

“Still got a lot of things that we got to learn and pick up and fix. But I think the core group, they are going to be a good group coming in future days.”

For the Lightning the schedule doesn’t get any easier, an away trip to Canberra to face the Brave in week three of the AIHL awaits.

In the opening three weekends the Lightning will have faced the Goodall Cup champions, AIHL Final runner up and a Perth Thunder team looking to challenge. A tough start for the Lightning but one that they are embracing as a group.

“It is a tough start for the season, we are playing the top teams in the league,” continued Kiliwnik.

“But that’s a good benchmark to see where you sit and what you got to do and what you need to improve on. And I think we got a lot of things that we are looking at.

“You know, we’ll look at some tape over the week and see how we can improve things for that game. I think it’s going to be a good series in Canberra. I got a good feeling about it. I think we are going to do well.

“The guys are excited to be playing another top team, that’s what hockey is all about.”